Lets begin with the design department. Although, the Baleno
isn't any revolutionary in 5-door hatch styling, it's a handsome and
self-effacing appeal to conventional idea of a hatchback. Suzuki says that the
Baleno hatch shows off the "Liquid Flow" design theme articulated by
curvy lines and expressive surfaces. As evident up front, the car's body
elegantly flares outward from the cabin resulting in a low and wide silhouette
that bring a strong and sporty look. This is complemented by wide bumper,
distinctive grille and LED DRL positioning hardly fails to gain attention. The
wraparound windows and blackened out A-pillar, along with character lines on
the sides are gently contoured. At the rear, large bumper and a tiny
forward-sloping hatch door is gentle. The Baleno seemingly mimics the newly
launched S-Cross in its limited proportions, more explicitly by its side and
rear profile.
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| The 2016 Baleno is one among the key models that Suzuki bets on to pep-up its brand image globally |
On the inside, the Baleno adopts a simple and no-frills
cabin and dashboard layout but looks well-done. The quintessential 3-spoke
steering wheel similar to that of Swift, silver accents on dashboard, automatic
climate control, and the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple
CarPlay function are major highlights.
Also Read : Future Maruti Suzuki Cars Must Address Brand's Design Deficit
Also Read : Future Maruti Suzuki Cars Must Address Brand's Design Deficit
But what's really exciting is underneath its body design and
hood. The Baleno stands on a brand new platform that is more rigid and weigh
less, designed for better efficiency and dynamic performance. The car measures
3,995 mm long, 1,745 mm wide and 1,470 mm high, with a 2,520 mm wheelbase,
qualifying for the sub-4 metre B-segment in India. But in actuality, the car
will be presented as a premium C-segment offering sold through the premium Nexa
dealerships.
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| Baleno's cabin layout is simple yet neatly executed |
Suzuki will also offer the mild hybrid system, also known as
SHVS in Indian-spec Ciaz, using an integrated starter generator to assist the
engine during accelerations, start/stop system, and brake energy recuperation.
The Indian-spec model, however, is likely to share the familiar 1.2-liter
K-Series petrol and a 1.3-liter DDiS diesel from the Swift range. The SHVS
system from Ciaz will also be offered.
The Euro-spec Baleno is assembled only at Maruti Suzuki's
Manesar plant in Haryana, India and are exported to every target markets. Sales
in Europe will commence from the beginning of next year, and will compete
against C-segment models such as VW Golf, Hyundai i30, Kia cee’d, and Peugeot
308 but with a much lower price tag.
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| Suzuki Baleno will go on sale in Europe by the beginning of next year |
Maruti Suzuki hasn't revealed the car's nameplate for the
Indian market yet. It is highly unlikely that the car be called as Baleno,
thanks to a haunting memory of the moniker that failed miserably to crack the
premium mid-size segment more than a decade back, in spite of being an able
sedan. Maruti dumped the name for the new SX4 which also fared poorly, until
the third bit (with another new name) Ciaz.
Hormazd Sorabjee, the archetypal car enthusiast and editor
of Autocar India, wants Maruti to call the new hatch (YRA) as Zen in India
after the legendary hatch that symbolised Maruti's reliability and efficiency in
the B-segment. That's a brilliant idea since Zen has a strong legacy and cult
in India, which will surely resonate with a lot of car's potential buyers. The YRA's humble styling, efficiency, and packaging should excite buyers
just like the Zen did almost two decades back.
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| Maruti Zen - the legendary hatch with strong legacy and car cult in India |
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